In harmony with

Nature and environment

We are aware of the effects of our actions on nature and the environment. It is our concern to bring nature, the environment and sustainable economic activity into harmony. It goes without saying that we treat nature and creation with care and consideration.

Sustainability and environmental protection have a living tradition with us. As early as 20 years ago, we began to introduce high standards, especially in the areas of environment, quality and occupational safety, at our Osnabrück site. Today, we are playing a major role in the paper mill of the future – and with it the vision of climate-neutral paper production.

High standards

Felix Schoeller has its quality, environmental and occupational safety standards confirmed throughout by external audits. The certificates integrated into the management system provide proof of this. Our company is certified with all its paper producing operations in accordance with FSC^® (Forest Stewardship Council^®). This sustainability seal of approval for the procurement of wood and pulp is symbolic of a long series of successful environmental certifications for the company.

Paper mill of the future

The "Paper Mill of the Future" project sounds like dreams of the future. It produces climate-neutral. We want this vision to become reality in 2045. That's why we laid the foundation stone for the "Model Factory of the Future" in autumn 2019 together with other paper manufacturers. In cooperation with three universities, we are working intensively to turn this vision into reality.

The "glass" paper mill will be operating digitally by 2045. The model factory, which will be built in Düren (Germany), shows a possible change from paper-producing companies to companies in the bio-economy.

Efficient and independent

Energy management

Cloud in the shape of a piggy bank, hand throws 1 euro piece into it

ENERGY

The paper industry is water and energy intensive. We introduced an energy management system at all our German sites early on - with a focus on expanding combined heat and power generation and the clear goal of increasing energy efficiency year after year. Every year we aim to save two percent of the total energy related to net production. We have been able to prove this ambitious goal again and again.

SWITCH TO NATURAL GAS

We are successively switching energy sources from coal to natural gas. Gas is more environmentally friendly than coal. It causes significantly lower CO2 emissions. In addition, gas boilers can be controlled more quickly and flexibly. At the Osnabrück plant, the focus is currently on rebuilding the power plant. In 2020, we will build a new gas boiler and thus reduce our CO2 emissions by around 30%.

HIGHER EFFICIENCY LEVELS

In 2016 the power plant in Penig was modernised. With a new gas turbine and a waste heat boiler, we were able to achieve significant savings in energy consumption as well as significantly improved efficiencies. Further individual projects that achieved higher efficiencies were successfully implemented

Power line energy supply to self-sufficiency

AUTARKY IN ENERGY SUPPLY

We want to be independent in terms of energy supply at all our locations. Following the construction of a further gas turbine, the Osnabrück plant will become self-sufficient in terms of energy supply. The plants in Penig and Günzach belong to an energy network. In addition to self-sufficiency in the supply of energy, this will also enable higher energy efficiency.

Responsible and respectful

Resource management

Freshwater consumption

We have taken a number of measures to continuously increase the proportion of treated and reused wastewater. As a result, the fresh water consumption is reduced overall. The cycles are largely closed in our mills. Nevertheless, for quality reasons, certain volumes of fresh water are necessary for the production of specialty papers. These are used sparingly and carefully.

Waste prevention

We avoid waste whenever and wherever possible. The best way to avoid larger units of waste is to keep material losses as low as possible. This is achieved by constantly optimising production and minimising the amount of waste.

Recycling

In order to conserve resources and reuse or professionally dispose of residual materials, the company Meltorec was founded as early as 1979. Its main task is to recycle secondary raw materials that arise during production. Resources are returned to the material cycles. Residual materials and rejects are turned back into valuable materials thanks to Meltorec's know-how. Meltorec also supports its customers in overcoming technical challenges in recycling materials. In doing so, it can draw on the full expertise of Felix Schoeller's R&D department.